Partners come together for community health screening

Medical staff, volunteers, nursing student from UCCI, medical students from St. Matthew's University, Pathfinders and representatives of Cayman Heart Fund and the Savannah Seventh-day Adventist Church at the health screening.

Several groups came together last month to offer Savannah residents a free health screening clinic.

The Cayman Heart Fund and the Lions Club partnered with the Savannah Seventh-day Adventist Church to coordinate the event on Nov. 27. It was organized by Hazel Fletcher, health ministries director for the Savannah church, and Maureen Cubbon of the Cayman Heart Fund.

Seventy people were screened for total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, body mass index and weight assessment in an effort to boost health awareness in the district and to facilitate access to information.

As one of the Lions Club’s many public services, patients were also screened for cataracts and other issues.

One person was referred for further medical assessment and two were referred to an eye doctor.

“It so happens that November was World Diabetes Month and the worldwide theme was ‘Eyes on Sight,’” noted third vice president of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman, Cordella Chollette.

“As with anything, they say early detection is key, and many may not know that eye health and diabetes go together,” she said.

“It’s always better to detect early if there are any issue. The machines that we have can detect quite a few potential issues at an early stage, and if there is a problem detected, we will then recommend a visit to a professional for further examination.”

Heart health was also front and center at the screening clinic.

“The screening was part of a community initiative from the Cayman Heart Fund to provide complimentary screenings for the community. The goal is to encourage the community to ‘know their numbers’ for early detection of any potential health risks,” said Ms. Cubbon.

The Cayman Heart Fund’s aim is to alert people about, reduce and help prevent cardiovascular disease through education and free medical screenings that include weight assessments. The fund also donates medical equipment.

“Cardiac issues are becoming commonplace in Cayman, and the best way to try and combat this is early detection and education to promote heart-healthy lifestyles,” said Ms. Cubbon.

“We were very pleased with the turnout and look forward to another successful screening on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Savannah.”

The various churches of the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists regularly conduct health screenings and other initiatives as a public service.

“One mission of the SDA church is prevention, so it was a pleasure to team up with Cayman Heart Fund to help people know their [health] numbers,” said Ms. Fletcher, who added that organizers were pleased that so many residents who responded are on their way to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The church is committing to do more in the Savannah area, with the Conference’s Manna community services center scheduled to open in 2017, offering legal, medical and personal counseling, as well as an on-site food depot.